I am committed to do all I can to tackle scourge of domestic violence

DOMESTIC violence is a horrible reality for many of our fellow citizens. The physical and psychological damage that it inflicts on victims and their families cannot be underestimated. Holiday times can be especially difficult for victims of domestic violence and their children. While many of us have been celebrating this holiday season with loved ones, in homes throughout Ireland women and men are being subjected to verbal abuse, psychological torment, and physical attack by their intimate partners. It is only right that we consider their plight.

Domestic violence is a complex phenomenon and a stain on our society. I take my responsibility in this area very seriously. In that regard, today sees the commencement of the new Domestic Violence Act, 2018.

This ground-breaking legislation represents a significant improvement in legal protections available to victims of domestic violence. The Act extends access to court orders to those who were in intimate relationships, but who are not cohabiting. It also offers a new protection for cohabitants who are in crisis situations by introducing a new emergency barring order which can last up to eight days.

The Domestic Violence Act will also make the court process easier for victims of domestic violence. A victim will have the right to be accompanied to court by a family member, friend or support worker. A victim will be able to give evidence by live television link, and there will be protections for the victim’s anonymity.

Importantly, the Act creates a new offence of coercive control. For too long, society has thought of domestic violence primarily as physical abuse. Coercive control recognises the effect of non-violent control and psychological abuse in a relationship can be as harmful to victims as physical abuse because it is an abuse of the unique trust associated with an intimate relationship.

Another important provision will ensure that an intimate relationship between victim and perpetrator must be regarded as an aggravating factor in sentencing for a range of sexual and violent offences. This new provision sends a message that society will no longer tolerate the appalling breach of trust committed by one partner against the other in an intimate context, where they are violent, or rape or sexually assault their partner.

Of significance is the Act delivers a number of requirements necessary to enable Ireland’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

Complex problems such as domestic and sexual violence require a systemic and a multifaceted response. The Domestic Violence Act is a key action in the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Genderbased Violence. The strategy is a whole of Government response and contains a range of actions to be implemented.

The new year is a time to reflect upon the coming year, to make resolutions, and to renew commitments to make things better. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I renew my commitment to doing all that I can to tackle the scourge of domestic violence.